Wisconsin Declared Food Waste Prevention Week

State residents are encouraged to cut household waste to save money and reduce the methane produced in landfills.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Organic Food

Screen-print poster illustration of a basket filled with fresh produce, evoking mindful household consumption in a vintage, textured graphic style. — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources launched Food Waste Prevention Week, running through October 4, to help residents cut grocery costs and lower landfill methane emissions. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you plan to change your grocery habits to reduce the amount of food you waste?

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has declared Food Waste Prevention Week to help curb the volume of food scraps sent to landfills. This initiative runs from September 28 through October 4, 2026, offering practical steps to reduce household waste.

Why it matters

Reducing food waste offers a dual benefit by helping residents lower their annual grocery spending while decreasing methane emissions from decomposing food in landfills. Currently, food waste accounts for 30 percent of all residential trash in the state.

A 2020-2021 study conducted by the state found that food waste is the largest component of trash in Wisconsin. The report documented that 854,000 tons of food waste were sent to landfills in 2020, averaging 294 pounds per resident.

The players

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

The state agency responsible for environmental protection and managing waste programs.

The details

Food waste ends up in landfills where it decomposes and generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas. To prevent this, households can implement strategies like structured meal planning and consistent use of shopping lists to purchase only what is necessary. Additionally, consumers can rely on date labels and sensory tests to more accurately determine the actual safety of their stored food.

2020: 854,000 tons of food waste were sent to landfills.
2020-2021: The DNR conducted a statewide waste characterization study.
September 28 - October 4, 2026: Food Waste Prevention Week is observed.

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Health Landscape

This effort is grounded in the results of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources waste characterization study, which identified food as the primary component of the state's trash. It represents a shift toward addressing household habits to mitigate the environmental and financial costs of waste.

Consumers can save an average of $728 per year by reducing the amount of food that goes to waste. It is worth discussing with your household how to integrate better planning tools and sensory food testing into your routine to cut unnecessary grocery expenses.

The takeaway

Small adjustments to meal planning and smart shopping can significantly reduce both your personal food costs and your environmental footprint. Consistently using shopping lists is an easy, low-risk way to ensure you only purchase the food you actually intend to eat.